A Miami Moment with ... Randy Hollowell

Randy Hollowell, right, receives the 2010-11 Red & White Club Don Loss Volunteer of the Year Award from Brad Bates, former athletics director.

photo: Courtesy of Randy Hollowell (2011)

It's March. Baseball is in the air as teams begin their spring training. Randy Hollowell of Miami University's IT services breathes it in as he prepares for the RedHawks' home opener (March 19) when he plans to fill the air with his play-by-play broadcasts.

Q: How did you get to be the voice of the RedHawks baseball team?

A: Ten years ago, just after I began working at Miami, I asked Steve Baker if he needed help during the spring playoffs. I enjoy baseball and with a broadcasting background, I wanted to do more than just watch. I began working other sports that fall of 2004. Through the years, I’ve broadcasted field hockey, soccer and softball. Since 2005, I’ve called the men’s home baseball games.

Q: You must need to know the game well to call it. What are some of your tricks of the trade?

A: I am a sports lover. Calling a play is easy. It’s simply watching the game and providing descriptions of what is happening on the field. The trick is what to do between plays. In baseball, there is a lot of downtime. There are lots of long periods where there is no action. Filling those gaps becomes a team effort. Steve Baker and the athletic communications staff provide statistics and notes about the players. They feed me all of this so I can plug in information when the gaps occur. Keeping all of the statistics straight can be challenging and it takes all of us.

Q: How does that kind of team effort and communication fit with your role in IT?

A: Very similar. As part of the communications team, it is my job to relay important information to the Miami community. We truly work as a team to provide communications about projects, almost like a play-by-play. Recently, I have served on communication teams for Niihka, myMiami and GoGoogle. I also work with our incoming students connecting them to our services.

Q: Do you have a favorite play or memory from a baseball game?

A: One game that sticks out the most was the second game of a double-header in 2008. Up against Kent States’ top-ranked pitchers, Miami trailed 16-5 going into the bottom of the ninth. In that last inning, we rallied back and scored 12 runs winning 17-16.

Q: Do you get caught up in the game or do you remain calm?

A: I due tend to get loud at times. I get attached to many of the players. During the summer months, my now 11-year-old son and I attend a lot of summer league baseball games where our RedHawks play in the off-season. We get to know the players and their families well. It’s great to see players enter the minor leagues and even the major leagues. In fact, my family visited with Adam Eaton last summer in Colorado, and he is now playing centerfield for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It is very rewarding and wonderful to share this with my son.

How to watch and listen to Randy ….

On Miami All-Access watch live action from numerous RedHawk sporting events, including baseball.

Miami All-Access begins the spring schedule with full audio and video production for 20 RedHawk baseball games, leading off with the home opener on Tuesday, March 19, versus Indiana. Learn more at www.MURedHawks.com.